4 Attachment(s)
New Member with 1950 CJ3A
Hello Willys folk,
I am a life-long Willys fan, who had been without a Willys for 15yrs. My first 'car' was a '63 Willys wagon, which i adventured in a 7,000mi loop around the nation, back in 1984. Later, during college I had a '51 pickup that I rebuilt with the help of a '56 parts wagon (only bought cuz it had an overdrive) - I even put a little cedar house on the back of that pickup. Later still, I got a '51 CJ3A (always my favorite model), but i never could get that running right, and with 2 kids, a demanding wife (who dislikes Jeeps), a full-time job, and a farm to run...well, just not enuf time or money. So, alas, it got sold.
Five years ago, I decided by gawd time for another one! I still needed to get that long-sought-after 'little kid thrill' of cruising around in a old jeep thru the Montana prairies and mountains where i live. After 2yrs of looking, I got a good 'Craigslist' deal on this 1950 CJ3A w/ snowplow ($1500 plus freight). Well, am thrilled to say after 3yrs of sitting it is finally up and running...pretty well anyways. The poor beast had set out in a Laramie, Wyo cow pasture for ~20yrs, and the tub was about 1/4 full of cowcrap. The wiring was eaten or rotten. A few other issues as you might imagine.
It (she?) has a later model F-Head, so yes there's a hood-bump. I cut that down to be as small as possible. Motor purrs. Converted to 12V and electric fuel pump. Otherwise pretty much original. Harrison heater. I love the original un-restored look, and strive for that in all my old rigs. I am looking for a half-cab and bed extender.
I still have yet to plow snow with 'er. A few more things to work out: THE ISSUE right now is poor power. When i get it up to speed, it starts to die or sputter. It will barely handle 3rd gear, or any hill. Perhaps some junk in the needle-valve, loose/plugged vacuum advance, tune-up needed, timing needed? Advice? As I have no heated shop, so I can only work on it when above 25deg...which ain't often these days.
Lastly, I am open to naming suggestions!
Cheers, Steve in the Blackfoot Valley
Harrison Heater on 12-volts
"...if i connect that harrison heater up to the 12v, will it smoke the motor? it was/is disconnected, perhaps on purpose..."
12-volts is hard on the original 6-volt heater motors, electrically and mechanically. Try one of these, set it for low speed.
https://www.autozone.com/electrical-...35x/764704_0_0
It is a minor point in most rebuilds, but the heater motor needs to be looked at as well. The motor shaft is supported by sleeve bearings that get full of dirt and grit and if you don't clean them out, the motor really screams at you. There is usually a lot of brush dust in there that is abrasive.
Put a heater motor tear down and clean up on your to-do list